The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-18

in Mrs BRANDS mouse, that sne mas
difficulty in speaking quickly or freely.
"You are going, interrupts he, shortly,
$50 am |. Come"
He opens the hall door as he speaks,
and motions to her TO precede him. II is
all done In moment. II he had meant
to get her out OF the house with speed
that admitted Of no delay, he could not
have done it more promptly. Still de-
voured with surprise at his presence In
Park Lane, Nadine forgets TO comment
upon this, even in her thoughts, until
long afterward.
As they leave Mrs. Brands house be-
hind them Annerley's manner undergoes
q change 1t loses its briskness, and re-
turns to its usual calm habit.
"But you-perhaps you did not want to
como away SO soon," says Nadine, in
low bewildered tone.
What could city clerk want in Mrs
Brands house at that hourf
Eyes; / was quite ready. My business
was finished" returns he, steadily.
"Your businessS Business with Mrs.
Brandt"
"And very serious businessl So se-
rious that it is conducted as secretly As
possible"
at has to do with your-your-frmY'
asks she, in an awed tone.
Nltu-lny hElhf us Nub ootig
you met me here. II is of the utmost
consequence that my comings and goings
at that house should be kept dark"
He glances at her keenly as he speaks.
"You need not be afraid, " says Nadine,
quietly. ~ shall say nothing Of 1t. I
shall not mention having met you. You
may be ut rest about that. But confess
am amazed-astonishedl'
"Come in here. 1t is n fine evening.
A walk will do you good, and--I have
something to say to you"
Entering the principal entrance to the
park, they stroll together In silence
pass the row, the drive, the last touch Of
humanity in the shape Of lifeguardsmen
and nursery maids, until they find them
selves in dull, out of the way spot, and
virtually speaking alone.
eyes; l am more surprised than 1 can
tell you," says Nadine again, pausing to
look into his face. "To meet you there,
And this secret business-I hope II means
no harm to Millicent-Miss GreyS'
"None at all, assure you" He
laughs easily. II shall not harm Miss
Grey. Ny business, so far as she is con-
cerned, will very soon be Mt an end"
"Then she is mixed up with it."
"Well, yes"
paul" says Nadine, leaning forward
and speaking in low tone, 81 think /
have guessed it. lit has something to
do with-her sapphires"
An extraordinary CLEAN flashes across
Mr.. Annerley's features. 1t is moment
ary, but brilliant. Fear, suspicion and
something stronger still are blended in it.
1t may be that he is disconnected at hav-
ing his "business" with Mrs. Brand thus
publicly put into words. To be discov-
cred, no matter how innocent the offense,
is disagreeable to most.
"You are not pleased that have found
It out'' suggests Nadine, timidly. "But
do not let it distress you. l shall bury
the knowledge in my heart. No one shall
be the wiser for it."
"You will do well to do so," says An
nerley, recovering himself with an effort.
"You will take care also not to let it be
known by word or glance that you met
me tonight at Mrs. Brands. Much de-
pends upon your faithfulness in this
matter"
"Then you have found a clew to the
thief You are ON his trackN' asks she,
breathlessly.
"Yes; there is clew." He pauses
| moment, looking down into her eyes as
| though he would read her very soul.
"Swear to me you will not mention hav-
ing met me tonight, " he says at last, in q
low, vehement tone.
His intensity frightens her.
"There is no need for it. have prom
ised; but If you wish it, yes-I swear not
! to reveal our having met" she answers,
1 nervously. "Was it this you wished to
say to me, Paul5'
"This-and something else. But
first"---
J He breaks off abruptly, and laying his
hands upon her shoulders, turns her so
he can see her better. He has been gaz-
ing at her intently, and the extreme
beauty of her flower like face, enhanced
by the touch of timidity his stern voice
and manner have brought into it, has
set on fire the love that already burns
brightly in his bosom. She is the one
solitary thing on earth that he cares for
the one human creature he adores with
a passion, wild, ungovernable, that some-
times from the very strength of it makes
even him tremble. If he should lose her
The very idea makes the blood rush tu-
multuously to his head. And there is
that to be said to her tonight that
But she will not fail him-she shah not!
"Nadine!" exclaims he, In suppressed
tone-low, vehement "Tell Inc that you
love me! l have loved you so well that
will not believe you have given me nc
return. All my heart-nay, my very
soul, is yours to save or ruin, as you
will Is such devotion to go unrewardedi
See! am Notwithstanding before you
as the veriest leaf that grows, lest your
word fail me. Does not this touch you
Are you insensible, heartlesss Well, then
II you cannot from your heart say that
you love me, at least tell Inc that yom
heart is empty-that you are Indifferent
to all the world
He waited breathlessly. But as the
waiting lengthens dark frown gathers
on his brow, and a savage expression
curves his lips. Nadine, faint terrified
and still with that terrible numbnes.
overpowering her, draws back u step ol
two and presses her hand conyulsivel,
against her face. Annerley, laying hi
hands upon her shoulders, gives her
violent shake. A low cry escapes her
This cry releases her from the nervous
bondage in which she has been held
"Speak, girll' cries he roughly. II
is true you never yet told me that yot
love me. Am now to learn that yoi
have made that confession to anothe
manr'
"Ohl no! noln The assurance fall
from her with ferver which he place
to q wrong account. With a passionate
thankfulness she tells herself that sh
can at least answer this last question
with truth. To no man has she said
81 love you"
"Ah" says Annerley, drawing lonI
breath Of eager relief, 'that is we'll 70
my rival had he existed"
There is such subdued ferocity in hi
tone that Nadine shivers.
"Be content" she says, calmly, 'yo,
have no rival. There is no one ca
marry"-
Except me. That is as it should be.
He sighs heavily, and still regards he
with lowering brow, snow for m
news" " he says.
Tomorrow. VIII not tomorrow do,
asks she, family, feeling tired and ovel
done,
Tomorrow I shall probably be out c
town. Yes" answering her glance {
surprise. 81 shall be abroad for wee
or two-on business"
"The same business'' demands sh,
eagerly,
"You re a wonderful guesser," +,
turns he. There is vague suggestion
sneer In his smile. Before goinl
however, l want to tell you that u stroi
OF luck has at last fallen at my feet. II
day the--my-my chief sent for me an
offered me "a higher stool in the offic
: in fActn-
He hesitated a good deal, and seems Il